Canadian Troops Hand Captives to US

Defence Minister Art Eggleton confirmed Tuesday that Canada's JTF2 commando unit has captured prisoners in Afghanistan and handed them over to American forces.

When asked on Monday how Canadian forces in Afghanistan would treat captured prisoners, Prime Minister Jean Chrétien replied, ``You are asking me a purely hypothetical question at this time.''

However, Eggleton revealed Tuesday that Canadian commandos have taken prisoners, but, lacking detention facilities, have given them over to the Americans. The New Democratic party accused the government of betraying Canadian values by turning prisoners over to a possible death sentence.

Nicole LaViolette, a professor of international law at the University of Ottawa, said Canada appears to be in violation of the Geneva Conventions because prisoners taken during armed conflict must be treated as prisoners of war.

Mr. Chrétien, however, said that the U.S. has assured Canada that the prisoners will be treated according to international law.

Pot-busting Mountie Busted

Daniel Ryan, a six-year RCMP member, is facing a charge of selling marijuana. A prominent member of the Nova Scotia ``street team'' that seized more than $2.13 million in drugs and other assets in 1999, Ryan made hundreds of drug busts. He was scheduled for a transfer to an elite unit that provides the Prime Minister's bodyguard and was preparing for the move to Ottawa when arrested in a Halifax hotel. Ryan is presently suspended with pay.